Common Puppy Housebreaking Mistakes

Puppy housebreaking is
a task which requires patience, diligence and dedication. Housebreaking
can seem repetitive and annoying because a puppy does not always
initially understand what you are trying to teach him. This can wear
your patience thin; especially when you feel like you have done the
same thing over and over again for the past week. However, being
dedicated and patient can help you avoid some of the most common puppy
housebreaking mistakes.

Avoid Using Puppy Pads

Puppy
pads are a terrible invention that should be avoided whenever possible.
The goal behind housebreaking is to teach your puppy that the outside
yard is the place to defecate; and inside the home is not.

The
first few months of life are when a puppy will pick up most of his
habits and carry them on for life. This is why housebreaking needs to
be introduced as soon as possible. Puppies do not learn by
circumstance, they learn by repetition. Wherever you teach them to go
is inevitably where they will learn to go.

Hence,
puppy pads are one of the most common housebreaking mistakes. The
initial idea behind puppy pads is to have a place to carry your puppy
when you catch them in the act of defecating on the living room
floor. However, keep in mind that this will be a learned behavior that
your puppy will carry on for life.

It is always better to make the trip outside, then to take the shortcut of using puppy pads.

Inconsistency in Schedule

The
most important thing you can do during housebreaking is to be
consistent. Create a schedule and stick to it. While things can get
hectic at work and around the house, you have to maintain the schedule
or your goal can be lost.

A
schedule helps to train your puppy to know when it is okay to defecate.
His body will begin working at holding in what it needs to until he is
allowed to go outside. However, neglecting the schedule can send mixed
messages. Your puppy will be confused by how long he is supposed to
hold in his bowels, and will eventually let them go.

Punishment during Training

It
is never a good idea to punish your puppy during the housebreaking
process. It must be kept in mind that your puppy does not understand
what you are saying to him. You are simply trying to convey the message
by actions and repetition.

Punishment
only conveys to your puppy that his action was wrong. It will be
interpreted as though the act of defecating was wrong, or the act of
defecating in front of you is wrong. This, in turn, can have a poor
effect on the goal you are trying to accomplish: housebreaking.

At
that point, you will have a puppy that will begin hiding in places
around the house to relieve himself, fearing that if he notifies you he
will be in trouble. This is most definitely not the message you want to
send while housebreaking.